Officer Down

Correctional Officer Pedro J. Rodríguez-Mateo
Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,
End of Watch Thursday, August 1, 2019
Age 44
Cause Assault
Incident Date Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Offender Deceased

Correctional Officer Pedro Rodríguez-Mateo succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was attacked by an inmate at the Ponce Maximum Security Facility.

Officer Rodríguez-Mateo was supervising inmate visitation when he observed a visitor pass an item to an inmate. He had the inmate removed the visitation area so he could be searched. During the search, the inmate attacked Officer Rodríguez-Mateo and disarmed him of his baton. The inmate, who was serving a 71-year sentence for a triple murder, struck Officer Rodríguez-Mateo several times, causing him to suffer a skull fracture.

The inmate was subdued and remained in custody and was charged with first-degree murder of a correctional officer. He died in prison in September 2019.

Officer Rodríguez-Mateo was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Officer Rodríguez-Mateo is survived by his wife and child.

Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.